The proprietor of Minnesota’s oldest lodge has faced charges for allegedly setting the lodge ablaze in an attempt to secure a hefty insurance payout, following a series of text messages to her husband urging him to “just burn it,” according to prosecutors.
Bryce Campbell, who owned the historic 140-year-old Lassen Resort on Lake Superior, was taken into custody this week, nearly two years after she denied any role in the catastrophic blaze that left just two chimneys standing.
At the time of the incident on February 6, 2024, Campbell, 41, was inside the lodge when the fire ignited in the basement. Authorities believe she may have engaged in insurance fraud as the business faced debts totaling at least $14 million.
Days prior to the fire, Campbell, a Canadian national, had sent a text message to her husband indicating that she owed over $466,000 to the Canada Revenue Agency.
She reportedly texted him, saying, “Just burn it,” and echoed similar sentiments in other messages regarding negative reviews.
Shortly before the fire, the lodge’s general manager alerted Campbell via email that there were insufficient funds to meet the payroll for the coming week, as cited in the court complaint.
The lodge owners had also recently increased their insurance policy by about $4.5 million starting in 2022, according to officials.
Following the fire, Campbell filed a $16.5 million insurance claim, citing an “unexplained fire,” as per the complaint.
However, investigators found that she had searched for glycol, a type of alcohol, and Swissmar, an accelerant, which were later discovered at the site in the boiler room.
Campbell was arrested in Michigan on Wednesday without any complications and faces charges of arson and insurance fraud.
“In committing this selfish criminal act, Mr. Campbell prioritized personal gain over the lives and livelihoods of his employees while destroying a valued Minnesota landmark,” stated Drew Evans, Superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Enforcement.
According to the complaint, Campbell purchased the lodge and its assets for $6.7 million in 2018. At the time of the fire, she was about $14 million in debt and her business was struggling.
When suspicions arose regarding her involvement, Campbell adamantly denied any wrongdoing, claiming she had invested millions into the resort and had plans for a turnaround.
“You don’t [expletive] burn the place down, burn $5 million of your money… use common sense here, folks,” she expressed in a statement to the Minnesota Star Tribune during that time.
The Lutsen Resort has been operational for nearly 140 years, claiming the title of Minnesota’s oldest hotel. The structure where the fire occurred was built in 1952, following the destruction of two previous properties by fire.
